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New book on history of Kerry’s houses launched at Muckross

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By Sean Moriarty

History buffs of Kerry and particularly Killarney will be hoping a copy of ‘The Big House in Kerry’ will be under the tree on Christmas Day.

NEW BOOK: Gene and Kathleen MacGillycuddy (left) with Rose and Nicholas MacGillycuddy at the launch of Jane O’Hea O’Keeffe’s new book ‘The Big House in Kerry'. Photo: Valerie O'Sullivan

LAUNCH: Jane O’Hea O’Keeffe’s new book ‘The Big House in Kerry' was launched by former Labour leader Tánaiste and Irish Statesman Dick Spring. Photo: Valerie O'Sullivan

CALLING: Don Rohan (resident butler) calling guests to the launch in Muckross House Killarney of Tralee historian Jane O’Hea O’Keeffe’s new book. Photo: Valerie O'Sullivan

ATTENDING: Rose and Nicholas MacGillycuddy at the launch of ‘The Big House in Kerry'. Photo: Valerie O'Sullivan

READING: Historian Jane O’Hea O’Keeffe overlooks former Labour Leader Tánaiste and Irish Statesman Dick Spring at the lunch of her new book. Photo: Valerie O'Sullivan

GUESTS: At the book launch in Muckross House were former Labour leader Tánaiste and Irish Statesman Dick Spring (left) Ann Tangney (Head Guide at Muckross House) and Maurice O'Keeffe (Irish Life and Lore). Photo: Valerie O'Sullivan

GROUP: Brendan O'Mahony Ruth O'Mahony Dan Kelleher and Karol O'Mahony (architect and contributor) at the launch of Jane O’Hea O’Keeffe’s new book ‘The Big House in Kerry'. Photo: Valerie O'Sullivan

MEETING: Former Labour leader Tánaiste and Irish Statesman Dick Spring Jane's husband Maurice O'Keeffe (left) and Dr John Knightly (Contributor) at the launch of Jane O’Hea O’Keeffe’s new book. Photo: Valerie O'Sullivan

SPEAKER: The book was launched by former Labour Leader Tánaiste and Irish Statesman Dick Spring. Photo: Valerie O'Sullivan

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The 330-page fully illustrated book was launched in Muckross House last Friday.

Edited by Kerry-based historian Jane O’Hea O’Keeffe, ‘The Big House in Kerry’ is co-written by 11 other historians.

Each of them dedicates a chapter to great houses of Kerry including Muckross House, Killarney, Flesk Castle and Killarney House.

“It is photographic and documentary account to date of life as it was lived by the gentry of Kerry up to independence," Jane O’Hea O’Keeffe said at Friday’s launch.

"It is set out across chapters each dedicated to a large house and the family/families that inhabited it – written by some of the county’s leading historians.”

The book costs €39 and is available in all good book shops including the gift shop at Muckross House.

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Ireland’s oldest citizen has Killarney connections

Ireland’s oldest woman met with President Michael D. Higgins at Áras an Uachtaráin this week. Máirín Hughes, who turned 109 on May 22 has strong Killarney connections. The previous record […]

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Ireland’s oldest woman met with President Michael D. Higgins at Áras an Uachtaráin this week.

Máirín Hughes, who turned 109 on May 22 has strong Killarney connections.

The previous record was held by 107-year-old Nancy Stewart who died on September 10 2021.

Although born in Belfast, Máirín went to school in the Mercy Convent. Her father was a customs and excise officer and the family moved around a lot eventually coming to Killarney after spells in County Down and Dublin.

Her mother came from the Rathmore area and her father was from Newmarket in County Cork.

She attended the Mercy Convent and has, in previous interviews, recalled growing up on the shores of Lough Lein.

“Neighbours who had three children were given the job of taking me to school,” she said. “They were annoyed because the children were going to school for two or three years but I was put in to the same class as them – my mother had taught me.”

In 2021 she featured in the book ‘Independence Memories: A People’s Portrait of the Early Days of the Irish Nation’, sharing stories of being kept in school in Killarney during an attack on the RIC barracks down the road.

In 1924 she started a degree in science and a diploma in education at University College Cork, before working in the pathology lab in University College Cork’s Department of Medicine for 16 years.

last year she recalled her story on the podcast: ‘Living History – Irish Life and Lore’.

During the broadcast she talked about her parents’ membership of the Gaelic League in 1910; the Spanish Flu in Ireland in 1918; The Black and Tans in Killarney in 1921; the early days of the new Free State; Eucharistic Congress in Dublin in 1932, visiting the Basket Islands in 1929; and working in the UCC medical laboratory from 1932 until 1948.

This week President Michael D. Higgins hosted an afternoon tea event to celebrate the important role that a variety of people have and can play in different communities and Máirín was among the guests of honour.

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Philip is running over 100kms for Cancer charity

Local runner and charity fundraiser Philip Kissane is set for the biggest challenge of his career as he lines up for the Cork City Marathon on Sunday. Phillip has already […]

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Local runner and charity fundraiser Philip Kissane is set for the biggest challenge of his career as he lines up for the Cork City Marathon on Sunday.

Phillip has already completed four half marathons at various locations around Killarney – all in aid of Kerry Cancer Support Group – or the Cancer Bus as it popularly called.

This is the second time that Phillip has run four half marathon and an official race for the charity.

Back in 2021 he finished with 5km Run Killarney event but his finishing race this time around is over eight times the distance at 42kms.

“We are delighted with Philip’s continued fundraising support but also with his awareness raising for the charity,” Breda Dyland, Service Manager Kerry Cancer Support Trust.

“We are getting busier all the time and still get no statutory funding so are dependent on fundraisers like Philip’s to keep us on the road. We have just put our new wheelchair accessible bus on the Cork route so Philip’s funding will be going towards the operation of this vehicle.”

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